FORMER champions Spain and Italy eased to comfortable 4–0 wins over weak opponents in European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup on Saturday.

    A Spain side missing several players due to injury tacked on some late goals to trounce Macedonia while Italy eased up after a first-half barrage at Liechtenstein to remain tied atop Group G with 10 points each.

    Ireland seized control of Group D with a 1-0 win over Austria, while rivals Wales and Serbia drew 1–1 after a dramatic end in Cardiff.

    Croatia led Group I after Marcelo Brozovic scored twice in a 2–0 win over Iceland.

    Only the group winner automatically secures a spot for the World Cup in Russia. The second-place team must go through a playoff to make it to the 2018 tournament.

    In Group G, Macedonia made a promising start to the match in Granada but went behind for good in the first half when Darko Velkovski’s headed clearance landed in his own net.

    Victor “Vitolo” Machin scored Spain’s second goal to put the result beyond doubt, and Nacho Monreal and substitute Artiz Aduriz rounded off the win late.

    Spain was without the injured Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba.

    “We were without several players, but it’s true that their absences create opportunities,” Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said. “We have players with talent, attitude and ambition and they showed that tonight.”

    Italy was led by forward Andrea Belotti, who opened and completed the quartet of goals just before halftime at Liechtenstein. In between his strikes, Ciro Immobile and Antonio Candreva scored.

    Israel moved into third place with nine points after winning 3-0 at 10-man Albania in a match played under tight security. Media reports alleged a group of 15 persons arrested in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, planned an attack during the game.

    Albania has six points, and Macedonia and Liechtenstein zero.

    In Group D, James McClean’s 48th-minute goal in Vienna earned Ireland a third victory in four matches, and left fourth-place Austria facing an uphill task.

    Hours later, Gareth Bale put Wales ahead against Serbia with his 26th international goal and came close to sealing victory when he struck the base of the post with a shot in the 85th.

    (SD-Agencies)